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Monday, December 07, 2009

First Best Friends

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I sent off an email to my oldest first best friend, Barbara. We go back to kindergarden days.

Like cats, we were often bosom buddies.

And like cats, sometimes we did not to speak to each other, though our school lockers were side by side.

Barbara lived in an apartment building, which I thought could not be more glamourous.

Her apartment was furnished grandly in my eyes, like a palace.

Meanwhile Barbara thought my house was wonderfully homie and that we were the classic American family...what?

Barbara is an only child and her clothes closet put me in a state of awe.

No hand-me-downs and all those Capezio ballerinas! Oh

Sometimes I had dinner at Barbara's.

It seemed as if they ate lamb chops (my favorite) every day.

Barbara and I were both artistic so we had lots in common.

There was a third artsy musketeer in our class - Mary Ellen. Together we landed all the top assignments you can land in the 4th grade like painting the Halloween windows at Strawbridges Department store. We've all become artists in various fields. From the earliest days I use to walk Barbara home, and then she would walk me home, and then I would walk her home again.

Great story. I had a similar best friend. We looked a bit like twins, which was greatly helped by the fact that we both had red hair and were the same size, and we wore a scool uniform, and after school we canged into the same jeans rolled up and kept on our uniform blouse and sweater. But she had only one sister, while I had 6 brothers and one sister. Her house was all serenity while mine was rather chaotic.

First of all, dear Carol,I'm so happy to be able to say that you are one of my dearest friends.This Friday night I'll be having dinner with my absolutely oldest friend. Our parents used to double-date long before either of us was a twinkle in either couple's eyes. As kids in S. Jersey, he & I vaccinated chickens (yes; yuch) together, for spending money.I don't think we'll be ordering chicken for dinner this Friday.Thanks for the nostalgic post.Bill

I lost my first best friend a couple of years ago. We were both diagnosed within two years of each other. I made it through, she didnt. I miss her terribly. We kept in touch throughout our lifetimes, through marriages, children, divorces, successes and disappointments. The only thing I have to remind me of her is her baby pillow which I keep in my bed and hug every night.

Lovely, Carol. Oh yes, still in touch. I received my now-traditional email (it will be followed up with phone call) warning of: "I just mailed your Christmas box. Do not open it until at least Xmas Eve. I will find out if you do. I always do because you cannot contain your excitement & msg me. I'm warning you...." Plus we have others in this group...esp one who is now in Louisiana. And others. We've not been able to visit in a few years, but hope to next year. I cannot imagine life without them.

Bonjour Carol. What a charming post. The first image is mu favorite. Friends are so important, I've known my best friend for nearly 30 years. Thanks for reminding me not to lose sight of our precious friends, which are so rare these days. Hope you have a fabulous week!

wow, thanks for sharing with us. My first best friend was friendS. They were twins, Brenda & Linda. We lived next store to one another, and were never seperate. Though it was always hard come drive-in movie night at our house, because we could only bring ONE friend. The other would cry, even though they would get a turn next time. We stayed friends until about 6th grade. They figured out they were a grade older (though only 4 months dang it!), and moved on without me. We see each other every few years, but I still have the best memories.

Helas! Non! Her name was Terry and I knew her when she was 4 and 5...then she moved away. We buried lots and lots of time capsules...bottles and cans with messages inside. What I wouldn't give to know what we said!

Lovely post! My first best friend is still my BFF, after 46 years. Since I'm an only child, she is my best source of childhood memories. And young married memories. And menopause memories in the making!

Oh this was such a beautiful post to come home to, brought back memories of my friend through school, we were partners in crime, often staying at each other’s homes, sleepovers when we were at high school, giggling over boys, she married at around 20, I’m 45 and not married, she has 5 children, I missed that boat! Our lives drifted apart some years ago but oh I can remember such beautiful memories of Robyn. Joy, Laughter and Love. 2 weeks to go until xmas in Paris, Bisous

Growing up, I was able to find a best friend in Laurrie. Her family moved to the Boston area from Nancy, France for business. She was and still is my "French sis". Laurrie now lives in Paris with her husband and three gorgeous children. We hope to have our families meet, for the first time, in Paris one of these fine days.

When I met my first best friend again after 17 years (I had moved to the States and did not return to Rome for all those years), after we had spent the evening together, we continued talking for hours until 3am, next to her Vespa, never realizing it was that late (or early in the morning).

I start every morning with your delightful and inspiring gems. I lived in France for 4 years (3 in Paris), and 3 years in Italy. So, you can imagine the nostalgia I feel.My husband and I own a natural foods market with an adjoining cafe-creperie in a small town in Washington State. I am reliving all my favorite European food memories through my store, inspiring customers to try things that they can barely pronounce, but are delighted to be exposed to. Food exploration is a great way to travel. You often feature foods and ideas that have led me to acquiring them for my store. Thank you for allowing me to relive my Paris nostalgia every morning.

Just a quick note- You have probably already heard this by now, Wednesday's, "L'avant Comptoir" featured crepes of the day with "dinde" being the main ingredient...The transaltion is turkey. ("canard" is duck.) Simple mistake. I will have to try this crepe idea in our creperie.

What sweet memories :)I grew up in the South (USA) and had one little boy who was my best friend. He stuck up for me when other little boys would be mean, he was from a scary mean family and I guess my family appealed to him more.He always stopped at my house first on the way home, saying hello to my mother then walking on alone to his house at the end of the long road we lived on.I wondered sometimes if he ( as an adult) ever thought it funny, that his best friend in grade school was a skinny little girl :)